2017 - My year from Hell Part 3 - Refinancing my Home

 

 

That's my home. It's a townhome and the middle of a set of 6. Three stories of all mine. Ok and the bank's as well. I bought my home in August 5th, 2007. Just before the big crash when all lending stopped for homes. I was lucky to get in just under the stoppage and after the bubble burst so I didn't pay top dollar. It was brand spanking new. I was the first owner. All mine.

Now you have to understand that I had been a renter of apartments for over 30 years. I had dealt with old cheap carpet. White walls that you can't paint or you can but then you have to paint them back to white when you leave. Who wants to do that?! Ok I know a couple of folks have done that but not me. There is that thing where you have to cart your laundry and share the washer/dryer (and hopefully someone before you didn't wash colors that bleed before you) and later in renting career I was able to afford the apartments that had their own washer/dryer. But still. In my own home there is no dumpster. I get my own trashcan. Ahhhhh I was loving this "all mine" thing. 

 It was worth all the hassle to sign away my life in 2 inches of paperwork. The proverbial "sign here", "initial there", "initial that you signed here", "sign her that you initialed that".  That took an hour and I know how celebrities feel. Jeez. That whole process was VERY intimidating. I had a really good interest rate for 2007. It was 6.75%. Everyone else was at 7% or even 9%. So I thought dang I did good. 

Flash forward to 10 years later. Now everyone has either refinanced somewhere in the 3% or 4% range, or given their home back to the bank and moved one, or took the loss. I chose to stick it out. I had a job that was literally only 2 miles away and all my shopping was within that 2 miles. I had a unique home that I had waited all my life for. There wasn't any other place I wanted to move too. Why do anything. I was making my mortgage and all my other bills. I wasn't saving any money to my savings but I would later I thought. It then became painfully clear that I really needed to refinance. I had worked on my FICO score to get it to the 650 or higher. It was finally in a place that I could leverage it. I was so afraid of being taken because I had so many stories that was what kept me from doing it earlier. 

I contacted my mortgage company and it turned out to be quite a bit easier than I thought. I didn't negotiate (as I suck at negotiating) or anything. They offered 4.25% and that was 2.25% better than what I was paying. Oh heck yeah! I'll take it. I thought I would need all that same paperwork as before. But it was quite a bit easier. Just a couple of paycheck stubs, some bank statements etc. Scanned them in and sent them off. Now it was a waiting game. 

I forgot about the appraisal. Oh man. I have 10 years of junk and family members stuff in my house now. So goes the mad rush to clean up as best as I can. The appraiser was so nice. She explained the process and she took some pictures that took about 10 minutes. Whew! That wasn't near as bad as I thought it was going to be.

1 month later I was contacted to meet the notary to sign all the papers. That is what surprised me. The length of time it took to get it approved. So off I go to a Starbuck's and sign away my life again. Another round of "sign here", "initial there", "initial that you signed here", "sign her that you initialed that". And it was done. 

I was so sorry that I hadn't done it before. But that loan process was so intimidating. Now that I have gone through it I feel a lot more confident. But that is life. I was just so intimidated that I couldn't see past  the process. That is what took me so long to say to myself "just get it done". I do feel that whole thing help me in growing up a bit. I went through a rite of passage so to speak. And I did it all by myself. I was so proud of myself. Plus I saved over $500 a month on my mortgage. Who doesn't want that! Ha!

Our American Rights

OK I am not trying to be political here. But I get something off my chest. This by no means is new. I have seen numerous quotes, opinion pieces, not to mention just plain news about how out rights are being usurped by the current mandates designed to abate the transmission of the Coronavirus (COVID 19). 

I am just going to say it. I support any and all means to designed to inhibit the transmission and confine the those who have been exposed and possibly carrying COVID 19. 

There I said it. It is not ambiguous or confusing. I have a disclaimer though. In March of 2020 when we were all told to go home that the state of California was on lock down I totally disagreed with that move. I thought it was an overreaction to this flu. So it was the super flu. But anyone with a normal immune system, in my mind, meant most of us, could fight off this seasonal flu no problem. 

 I am here to say that I was totally WRONG. I have not been brainwashed by the democrats who are socialists in disguise. If that were true I be shocked to find out I am a socialist since I do identify as a democrat. 

But seriously, I was terribly wrong. I have known people who have had this disease. They ranged in age and in severity. I am grateful I have not contracted this disease. It was everywhere from hardly affecting family and work to nearly a death sentence and on the spectrum in between. 

The question really is requiring someone to get a vaccination is it a violation of our right to choose? A violation of our right to get a vaccination or not to get a vaccination. Yes, everyone has the right to make that choice - or do they? At what point is a requirement to come back to work only if you are vaccinated is an overreach?  I am not a learned council on constitution law or any other kind of law. But I can address this from my personal point of view. 

I believe in the right to make your own choices in life and how to live your own life. Freedom of choice is inbred in us Americans like we are to like Apple Pie. But too much of our rhetoric today is about what we are guaranteed by the Constitution and like our politics is all one sided. What happened to common decency? I believe that we lose our right to make choices when we endanger others by that choice. In this case when someone invokes their right to not get vaccinated and is therefore in a heightened chance of contracting and disseminating a proven lethal disease they are then no longer free to make that choice. They are making a decision for others by leaving themselves open to this disease and by interacting in some way with others without any protection they are taking the choice to be healthy from others. 

By not protecting themselves and being around others who may or may not have been vaccinated they are then saying they care less about their fellow man than they do about themselves. That is very selfish. I understand their may be misgivings on the safety of the vaccine for themselves both now in the future. I get that. But if you weigh what nearly every medical scientist has stated that it is generally safe and there are protocols in place if someone has an adverse reaction, and that person still says no to vaccination then that individual is short sighted and selfish. They by definition need to isolated so they cannot hurt others. 

We are a social group, we humans. We need each other for a variety of reasons. So you give up the luxury of making a choice when we interact with each other. There are certain requirements that necessitate the dismissal of certain rights. It's not something we can put on paper or legislate. This is a about, well, sportsmanship as they would say in the sporting world. It's about thinking of someone else before yourself. It's about feeling more for your fellow man/woman then you do for yourself. We Americans were at one time the epitome of that understanding. Where has that gone? Are we so individualistic that we can't come together for a common societal good? I still believe that we can do this. I believe we just need to be reminded of what sacrifice is and what it looks like. There are a great many folks out there that have done exactly this. Made a sacrifice. Some have made the ultimate sacrifice. I ask you, the reader, to ask yourself where are you on that continuum?

 

2017 - My Year from Hell Part 2 - My Babies. My Children. My Cats.

EXIDE

My Big Boy. My Sylvester. My Exide. He had all those names.

Yes these 2 were everything to me. I am not blessed to have children of my own but I had these two. 2017 was a banner year. I am so glad it's no longer with us. We are well past it. But it still lingers. 2017 was the year I had to put my cats down. Not a good year.

My Big Boy (Sylvester) was first. He had been having a challenge to his health for 3 years already so it was not a surprise that it was time. But that spring when that time came it hurt. I had him for over 18 years.He was just a little guy when I heard myself say to the little tykes at my door that asked for some food that if they didn't find anyone else I would take him. I closed the door and already knew I was getting a kitten and chastised myself. "YOU SAID WHAT?!" Ha. He was so cute and fit in my hands. 

He grew by leaps and bounds and was eventually 25lbs and as big as a medium sized dog. He sat like a dog as well. He had a best temperment. Nothing bothered him. He loved to be held and as long as I paid attention to him he didn't care what I did to him. I could clip his nails no problem. He loved to be brushed and purred so loudly that if I was on the phone the other person could hear it. 

Speaking of phones - when I had a land line (way before cell phones) if anyone called he was answer the phone. I swear. He would paw the phone off and then meow into the receiver. I just couldn't get him to take a message or hang it up again. When my father was in emergency with bladder stone the nurse called then wondered if he had given her the wrong number and said that something answered but not sure what. He then moaned and said that was her cat. The nurse had to keep trying to call me. Finally got through. 

But his health was not good the last couple of years and I didn't dare leave him. So I can say that I did not leave my house for longer than 16 hours at any given time. I was ALWAYS home to give him his medicine, food and water and love. I couldn't do anything else. He had always given me so much love how could I not be there for him. 

I often wondered if he was a human person who would he be? He was so not cat like but he had so many human qualities. Dang I loved that cat so much. Whew! It's getting a bit warm here.

JULES

My baby girl. My Jules. My Julien. So small but ruled like the Queen she was. She was linked to my Big Boy. She was all girl too. Since she was 1/3 of the size of my Big Boy she would lure my Boy to play. 

 They would get pretty rough and when he was finished he would just lay on top of her to quiet her down. She would scream like there was a blood-letting or something. He would be jolted and let her up and look at her as if saying "What Up". She would run about 2 feet away and then look back and say well are coming after me? Total Queen Diva. 

She hated being held and all actions were on her schedule not anyone else's. The only time I could love on her was when she was in heat. Then she was nice and lovable. I didn't fix her early on because she was an inside cat and my Boy was fixed. Then as she got older no vet would fix her. Or it was outrageously expensive. One of those decisions that you make regarding any animal. 

She was devastated when my Big Boy didn't come back after taking him to the vet that last time. She looked for him for days. Then she declined quite quickly. Within 4 months she was gone as well. 

 GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

 Though my babies are gone I have not forgotten them. They are always with me in my thoughts. I have never gotten this close to an animal before and wonder if I ever can be again.  In some ways it was a relief. I didn't have to give them their medicine everyday and watch them for signs that would lead to a vet visit. I could go and travel somewhere without feeling guilty or trying to find someone to watch them for me. But I also don't have anyone in my bed in the morning sleeping next to me. I can honestly say that I loved them more than anything. And all these years later still miss them.

2017 - The Year from Hell Part 1

2017 was my year from HELL. Yep I mean that. It was also my year that grew up the most. So it was a blessing and, yes, a curse.

CANCER!!!!! WHAT????

It started out with me dealing with a sonogram on my left breast to scan for a possible tumor. 

In late November of 2016 I went in for my biannual mammogram. I get a call that they saw something and wanted another mammogram. So I go back into the hospital (University of California at Davis Medical Center otherwise known as UC Davis) for a follow up thinking it wont be anything. Then I find out that what they found was just water filled milk duct. Nothing to write home or get worried about. But they want a sonogram to be sure. Okaaaaaaay. If you have too, I think. So I then have the sonogram. Well the original thing was nothing. Whew! But then they found something in my original something. Uh oh. Now they want a biopsy. Not in a rush as it was so small at 2mm. Fine. Get that scheduled for late January 2017. 

I forget about it totally. In the meantime my babies are sick since they are going to 17 years old it's not unexpected. 

I had not spent a night away from them in 2 years because my Big Boy needed his medicine each day. So it goes. I am working and moving along with my life. I periodically talk to my mother from time to time and that's really all there was to write home about. 

Now the biopsy comes along. I go in and it takes a couple of hours. The actual biopsy is about 10 minutes. The rest of the time is just getting ready and situated. I get poked a few times then I didn't feel anything at all. Just watched everyone opening up plastic stuff. Then it came time and they got what they needed. I get the results back in a few days and it was quite a bit of medical jargon. But it essentially was breast cancer. But at that time they called it DCIS. It had not spilled out to the surrounding tissue yet. It stayed in my milk duct. I was then set up with a surgical consult. Great. 

In the meantime I received a really impressive packet from UC Davis about what to expect and questions to ask and who I should take with me to appointments. I part that impressed me was the part where they will provide someone to go with you if you don't have anyone so they can an extra pair of ears and ask questions that you don't think to ask. In retrospect I should have done that. But being the independent person that I am and didn't want to inconvenience anyone I go by myself. Not one of my best decisions. Oh well. 

So I go by myself and the upshot was that we scheduled surgery for March 25th, 2017, since it was an in and out. I would be in surgery in the morning and out by noon. Whohoo. It was a Friday so I could recover over the weekend and wouldn't need all the following week off but could work 1/2 days on Thursday or Friday. I think to myself great. It will work out with month end and I could get all my work done.

The day comes and my friend Jo takes me to hospital. But I had to go to the Cancer Center first. It is a whole different building some distance from the main hospital. Since my tumor was so small they had to put wires in to point to the spot. I had no idea what this entailed. I would soon find out. DON'T EVER DO THIS! UC Davis is a teaching hospital. So you have to be okay with lots of young doctors doing the same things. Or in my case putting wires in my breast to point to the spot and it was her very first time. We can say Ouch! Basically I had to be smashed on the mammogram machine so they could find the spot and then in go the wires. This whole process took about 1/2 hour. Yes. I had to hold my breath repeatedly, hang onto the nurse's hand, wince, almost started to cry that whole time. It sucks! If you have to do this it's not worth it. Wait until it gets larger or dissolves on it's own. Seriously not worth it. 

From there was the only fun part. I was put in a wheelchair and an ambulance took me over to main hospital. I didn't have to figure out where to go first or anything. They just wheeled me to registration then up the per-surgical area. Got me in bed to wait for my surgery. That was really the fun part. I didn't have to do anything. 

I said that UC Davis is a teaching hospital. So I get my gown on and get my IV started. This is where every resident will come in and ask you your name, date of birth, and "What are we doing today?" Bear in mind that I am lying in bed with wires (yes real wires) sticking out of my left breast very plainly. And each time they ask me "What are we doing today?" I want to be so sarcastic and say what do you think? Don't you see these wires? Of which I obligingly say Left Lumpectomy. One cool thing though. I was cold and instead of getting heated blankets they put this lightweight paper thing with lot of air pockets and a heater at the end of the bed. It was really nice and warm. Loved that thing. There was a mix-up in the times and children had to go first. So I was there for about 3 hours before even getting the good drugs that says you're next. Yes I was hungry. Yes I was bored. Not a single nurse or doctor that checked on me was the same one twice. Residents mostly. Just like on TV some are really nice and some are just, well, less then chatty. 

Off to surgery I go. They ask me AGAIN ... Name, DOB, What are we doing today? I am pretty looped out by now and toyed with playing with them and making something up but I kept it straight. Then I woke up and I get the care instructions while I get dressed and off I go in the wheelchair for my friend Jo to pick me up. Where there were several others getting picked up so there was a line of cars. I had to wait my turn. In the rain. Yes. In the rain. I was thinking this was too funny. 

I had to go to the pharmacy to get some pain killers and they wanted me to come back as they were backed up. I am still in my surgery jacket. No I am not coming back. My friend Jo got them to fill it right away. Can you believe that?

I was just fine and went back to work on Tuesday for 6 hours. I will not do that again. I will take the whole week. Thank goodness my supervisor made me go home at noon each day that week. 

Fast forward to a month later and all was good. They got it all and it wasn't all that bad. But now comes some more craziness. I am referred to radiology for a consult. I go through everything with the resident and doctor and nurse in a very tiny room. The upshot was that it was up to me if I wanted radiation therapy or not. They refused to advise me one way or the other. WHAT?! I pressed them saying I am not educated on this subject and I need their recommendation. Nope they will not give it. It was totally up to me. By this time I have had it. So I chose not to engage their services and thank you but I am going home. If it comes up again then I will deal with it at that time. Seriously if you are not going to advise me then I am going home. And I left. 

FYI - I am glad I didn't but go through with it but 4 years later to the day I have been diagnosed with DCIS again in the same breast but in a different location. I still don't believe if I had had radiation therapy that it would have prevented this occurrence.

So this was the first big thing that happened in 2017. What a story hunh. But there is some really sad things to come in Part 2.

What I Learned in my Adventure

Oh my my my. I can't believe it's been 2 years since I last posted on here. That's worse than Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman. She has posted infrequently now as well and she is also my source of inspiration. Ha!  

There is so much to say and I have had so much happen in the last 2 years. Now that I have processed it all, I can start putting it down here. It involves my cats, death, my mother, refinance of my home, breast cancer (no death as I am writing this entry and I am not a ghost), depression, isolation, awesome friends, volunteering, and faith. So all these are to come. It's been a ride!!!!!

Speaking of a ride. I will start with this past Sunday. It's not bad, just really adventurous. I was not hurt in this tale and no one was killed so that is the good part and that I have a great story.

I have been volunteering at a horse rescue organization called All About Equine for about 8 months now. Getting there is a whole another story.  Each Sunday evening except when I was really sick this last winter (another story) I assist in feeding (or anything else that needs to be done) about 40 to 50 horses. It's about 20 miles from my home so a real drive.

It was nice and the sun was shining (haven't seen much of that guy lately) and it wasn't that cold yet. But still I had 3 layers on but was pretty warm. So I decided not to take my Carhartt jacket with me. (Mistake!!!!!!) The weather report said 20% chance of rain. Usually when it's a low percentage you can figure no rain, or just a few drops for a short time.

I am there with my usual stuff. I have my water bottle, gloves, snack, reading glasses and phone. All good. There are usually 4 of us there with me being the only Green (lowest on the security ladder). Blair and Darwin are both Yellow and pasture approved. Then our shift leader Annie is a Red. I can only work with Green rated horses and the Yellows get to work with both Green and Yellow rated horses and Reds get to work with all the horses. This is for our safety as well as the horse. 

This is a map of the facility with where each horse needs to be for the night written in their color as to can handle them.  

So we start with the feeding of the mini horses. My favorite. I like them and they are easy. Done. Then onto the paddock or outdoor stall horses. These horses have an outside stall but are let out in rings or pasture during the day. So we need to get them into their stalls (large trust me, not like barn stalls). I usually play a support role in this escapade. Typically I am behind another fence or manning an emergency gate. Well I found out why. One horse was haltered and being led to his stall and the other horse was to follow nicely. WRONG. The other horse bolted! I climbed the railing to get out of the way. He eventually found his home. Then the second horse was supposed to the same thing. NOT! Same process and outcome. Whew! That's done. We all laugh nervously. 

Next in the process is to put 2 bales of hay on a cart and be ready to feed the 20 horses in the pasture. But first Annie, Darwin and Blair need to get them into the corrals so we can fill the various barrels with a flake or 2 of hay. Easier said than done. They got 18 of the 20 horses in so I had to not help and just man the gates. 

Then all hell broke loose. We saw the lightning then heard the thunder. Then a few drops of rain. Now is this area if there is a 20% chance of rain that usually means a few sprinkles for 5 seconds and move on. Well the 20% hit this day. The heavens opened up and it rained HARD. Coming down in sheets. I hightailed it to the Barn to get out of this bucket of water. Too late. I was already soaked through 3 layers. We still had some horses to feed close to the Barn and set out to feed them. Then we came back to the Barn and started refilling the bins and start to sweep. In the meantime, Annie and Darwin let out the pasture horses to eat. 

I was able to get some video of that downpour.


Now comes our leader. She is in charge of this entire organization. What she wants goes. And she wanted more hay for the horses in the pasture. Another bale's worth. 

So Annie and Darwin go off to feed the pasture horses again. Now the rain finally was letting up and the steep path was now VERY muddy again. 

Blair and I were watching out the door of the Barn and laughing to ourselves for leaving our raincoats at home. 

Then we hear a HELP!

Blair bolted and ran to help out Annie and Darwin. I ran behind her yelling "You open the gates I will close them." She was 20 feet in front of me running faster than I. But I was going all out and thought if I get stuck in the mud I am going to do a face plant big time. Luckily I made it to the first gate and the second and the third and finally to Annie and Darwin. 

Annie was head to toe all mud. Standing but really shaken. Her iPhone covered in mud, glasses broken. But she was alive and walking. Darwin finished the feeding and we escorted Annie up to the Barn. Took about 20 minutes as there were not any speed barriers being broken. Poor thing was covered in mud. I managed to get her glasses back together and washed so she could see. Blair got her hands and face cleaner. Got a cold pack for her ribs. 

They were feeding and 2 horses ran her over. 2 BIG horses that is. That is why they are put in a corral to so they don't run over the volunteers. Live and learn.

So what I learned: 

• Don't go into the pasture with hay when there are horses in there. 
• Bring a raincoat no matter what the % of rain says.
• Always have my hat with me.
• Always have my gloves with me.
• I can run in the mud and not fall down.
• Keep a sense of humor.

Oh and by the way Annie's day was even harder. She had locked her keys in her car and her husband just had knee surgery so he can't drive. Darwin took her home. 

So I also learned that someone can have a worse day then you.

 

My Favorite Concert ... EVER!

I am not going to mince any words. I am just going to straight out say that I had the best time. I mean it. Really. I mean it. The best time. It was 20+ years ago but I still say it was the funnest concert ever.

Who you ask?

Who?





POISON





Yep that long haired, 80's band.

I have really gotta say that that concert was "nothing but a good time". He He He  Sorry I had too. LOL

But it was - really. Just a so much FUN!

I went to this concert with a date no less. One of my rules is do not go to a concert with a date. They get mad when you are dreamily drooling over the lead singer and are not paying any attention to them. They just don't understand that this is FANTASY. For 2 hours and well then next day we girls get to fantasize about how awesome it would be to be with those band members. It really is just fantasy but a dang good one. Well the dates just don't get it. They want it all about them. After all we can make it all about them any other time but not that night.

So, yeah, I had a date and this is when I really realized that I was getting on in years. I sat in the second tier directly opposite the stage. It was perfect. I could see whole stage and not have to fight anyone to get out of way. I could sit there and enjoy the concert. As I looked around I saw other local bands around us as well. They were to too cool to smile and have a good time types. They looked like they were of the Motley Crue types. They were interesting to watch as I checked in with them at various times throughout the concert. More on that later.

So there we are. My date and me sitting there waiting for the opening band to start. Now that band is the real reason I was there. It was a local band that had MADE it. I knew these guys way back when. And I wanted to see them and share in their success. After all I had been to so many local bars to see them over the years and her they are. Opening up for one of the most popular bands in America at that time. Dang!!!!!  Their name is (because they are still around) TESLA. Not the car. The band.

They came on and they were just as I had remembered. GREAT. Love it. They were on it. Thanked all of Sacramento for being there for them all these years, etc. Ahhh! Dang this is a good night so far. My date is loving it. I checked on the band behind me and they nodded periodically as if to say Cool they did good.

Now we are waiting for the main headliner. As usual there was electricity in the air. Anticipation and excitement. And it didn't let me down. Or anyone else. It was like watching their videos. They were running everywhere and playing and singing and well just exciting. The crowd was into it and the lights were dancing all around. I thought this just can get any better. Then they did some of their more popular songs and it did get better.

I am still in my seat but just enjoying every single second of it. Singing along myself. My date is enjoying himself. I check in with the band in back of me and they are even nodding their heads and enjoying themselves. Still cool though. After all they have a rep to consider.

Then came the slower portion of the concert. This is where the lights dramatically lower to stage black with a single spot on an empty microphone. Just like you see in the variety shows on TV and other concerts. It was so effective. Then we heard the familiar guitar chords being strummed off stage. The opening sounds of their biggest hit "Every Rose Has It's Thorns". Crowd goes wild. Then I saw it. It was like that time my brother threw that ball and I saw it coming but couldn't get out of the way and ended up with my one and only black eye.

I have to tell you something about Sacramento. We are weird. Other places throw roses, or other flowers, bras, phone numbers, etc. We throw ... wait for it ... shoes. Yep it's shoes. I have been picked up and had my shoes taken off of me and thrown on stage. It's hilarious to see rock bands duck at the shoes are coming at them like a shooting gallery at a carnival.

So there I am, watching something unfold that I had no idea how to deal with. Because we were up in the second tier I wasn't blinded by the lights. I could see the crowd below. I just happened to look down as something caught my eye. I saw from pretty far out a young man throw a shoe. It was so far out that I thought in that split second that it wouldn't even reach the stage and it was going to hit someone on the head. Then it happened. Here is the lead singer Brett Michaels himself walking to the microphone. There is no way he could see it coming. There is no way that person who threw the shoe could have known it was reach the stage. But it didn't just reach the stage. It hit the microphone square on just as Brett Michaels reached it to start singing. The timing was perfect. No way that man planned it. But it hit Brett Michaels right in the mouth. That hurt. It hurt and stunned him. He had a look of what just happened. I immediately looked at the crown and that young man had the presence of mind to high tail it out of the arena. He was gone in a shot. Before anyone figured out what happened. Smart dude.

But then all hell broke loose. Brett Michaels was furious. He found someone in the crowd and singled him out. The crowd turned on that person and started to push and shove him around. I saw the security start to get ready as the crowd on the floor started to get pretty whipped up in the emotion of what was happening. It was starting to get a bit dangerous. Security had reached that poor person and get him out of harms way. But everyone was still hyped up. I looked around us and there was serious concern on everyone's face. We were all looking for the exit. Even the band behind us. We were wondering if we should make a break for it before it got even more out of control. At this time it was on the verge of full riot.

But to Brett Michaels' credit he appeared to recognize the seriousness of the situation and took control of the crowd and calmed them down. It took a bit of coaxing from him but the crowd did listen to him and calmed down enough that reason came back. We all looked around at each other, including the band behind me, and we all had the look of relief. We settled back in our seats to see if Poison was going to come back onstage as Brett Michaels had exited with the crowd under control by this time. I wouldn't have blamed them for walking off and say F you all.

But they didn't they came back on stage and finished the rest of the concert as if that whole incident never happened. Including encores.

We were leaving and all we could say was that was one fun concert. Other than the almost riot, that was the funnest concert I have ever been to. Honest. I still remember it and get a smile on my face.

Thank you POISON!!!!!

Evening Sky

I gotta tell you that there have been so many awesomely beautiful sunsets earlier this spring.

I worked alot of hours and I would see the sun go down from my office and I would take a break and go out to our parking lot and see this wondrous vision. Well, OK, to me this wondrous vision as opposed to my office.

This was in April of this year. Just really nice coloring. I could see the promise of this sunset. I could just imagine the orange and red hues about to emerge.

I also would see these.

and

and

But the best one is this one. It was if the sky was on fire. I have not seen a sky like this since. This is where God was showing us all his glory. Sorry for the religious reference but you get my meaning.

I have not seen it's equal and I doubt I ever will.

Just awesome.

Being Single?

Erma Bombeck once wrote a book titled "Life is better over the septic tank."  Well, we always say that the grass is greener over there. I can honestly say that being either single or married the grass is always going to be greener over there.

I am single and I am ready to not be single. I have to admit that there is a freedom in being single. For instance:

• I don't have to share the bathroom. 
• I can take as many or as long a shower as I want. 
• I can cook whatever I want whenever I want. 
• I don't have to be home at a certain time or check in with anyone. 
• Plus the most enviable one is I have sole possession over the remote control.

But for the greener pasture side of things:

• I don't have anyone to share the bathroom with and I miss him shaving and me putting on my makeup and doing my hair tussle. It can be fun. At least that is what I am told.
• No one to take a shower with either. Hint hint, wink, wink. 
• I don't have anyone to cook for or have anyone to eat whatever I cook with at the dinning table, couch/sofa, or even on the floor for that matter.
• I don't have anyone wanting me to come home either. Wouldn't it be really nice to say "Honey, I'm home." And have something other than a meow come back at me.
• Ok - sole possession of the remote control is cool. But no one to share watching TV with. I am willing to compromise. I think.

There are many other examples but you get the drift.

So what to do about his scenario?  That is where I have a problem. I live in a town that has a ratio of single women to single men is about 8:1. Most of the single folk want to be single. These folks tend to be divorced. Need I say more.  I go to church and there are mostly women and married men.

I don't stay home in my little cocoon all together. I go out to dinner and attend events. As most of my friends will tell you that I am not all that shy either. I will go up and say Hi to someone.

I was at a baseball game with some friends and my single girl friend had her boyfriend with her. And he asked my friend why I was single since I was so fun and nice looking. Note: He said that not me. But wasn't that nice?!  I sure don't hear that very often.

Now I know what you are going to say. There is the online places. Match.com, etc. Well I am old fashioned and I kind of draw the line there. But I am seriously considering it. But other than online, what is a girl (ok a mature woman) to do?

Open to ideas.

Have a great day!!!

Bucket List, Cont...

To add to my previous post about the list I have started on things I would like to do or experience before I leave this earth. Also known as a Bucket List.

So in no specific order, here we go.

• Go to Scotland - I have dreamed of going to Scotland since I was little girl. Ok, so at that time it was something to do with the Bay City Rollers. But still for some reason I have had a dream (and to this day) of going to Scotland and hiking in the Highlands, exploring Edinburgh Castle and Royal Mall, and heading over to Glasgow area to see a very old but vibrant city.

• Fall Colors of New England - I live on the west coast in California. We don't get those vibrant colors that more extreme weather areas typically see. I have always dreamed of see the fall colors of Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts,  New York, Connecticut, and Maine. I want see those wonderful oranges and yellows and browns of Fall in New England and drive over covered bridges and see the ubiquitous church steeples of the small towns. Wait - did I already talk about this one? Yep I did. Well it deserves another mention.

• Go on a Cruise - I would like to go on a cruise sometime in my life. Not just the 3 day cruise to Puerto Vaillarta or some place in Mexico. But a real 7 day cruise out at sea. To see what everyone is so excited about. After all I grew up watching the Love Boat after all.

• I would like to see famous battlefields - Such as Gettysburg, Lexington, the Alamo, Normandy, Culloden, . My Dad went to Gettysburg and was a Civil War/WWII buff. I, too, have a great interest in history. But my Dad's impressions of the many battlefields and has seen reenactments he has seen were very special to him and to me. I have hears so much about these battles and what the men and women went through that I would like to see these for myself.

• I  would really like to work on a real working Ranch someday. I  know it's weird and you want to say "Hunh?". But to revisit something of the Wild West and be on horse and gather some cows and rope something. That's just sounds pretty nifty.

• How about Disney World. I hear it great! Just to say I have been there. Ride the rides and see all kinds of attractions. Yeah I would like to go there someday.

•  Then there's Australia. To see the Sydney Opera House and the great outback. To see where the Thorn Birds only talks about.  

So that's the current list. Just like in life the list changes, grows and shrinks.  But these have really stood the test of time.
 

• To round out the Travel portion of my List - There is London and all the sights to see there. Who knows maybe even see some Royalty. 

Bucket List

I don't have a bucket list per se, but I do have some things that I would either like to do or experience before I leave this earth. Which will not be ANYTIME soon. I intend to be here, making everyone subject to my endless diatribe of political and social commentary. I consider this my gift to humanity. Ha.

So, that said, here are couple of things on my list (in  no particular order):

• Learn to be proficient on a horse. That means not just riding well but also the care and maintenance of said animal. Still in progress. (I need to get in better shape first so this one is bit off the radar right now.)

• Allow a dog to adopt me some day. Because you know we don't own our pets they decide that they want us around. I have had many cats as pets over the years but I would really like to have a dog someday as a pet.

• I have been to Paris, France so that is not one of my things on my list. I was 14 at the time but I can say I did it and I have pictures to prove it.

• I would like to see the fall colors of the New England. I have seen all those pictures of the gorgeous colors in Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Especially the covered bridges and all. Ahhhhh. I really want to see it for myself someday.

• I would like to live in a climate where it snows for a few years and see what everyone is complaining about. I have only seen snow fall 4 times in my life and that was not anything to write home about. Especially since I was home at the time. But still. It was gone as soon as it hit the ground. Only once was I in a snow storm and that is a story for another time.

There are several other things on my list but here is the one that I am getting too ...

• I have entered my crocheted afghan/blankets into the Sacramento County Fair. I have always wanted to do that. I am so excited. Now, of course, I need to finish them but I am great about that. I have a goal. A deadline. A drop dead deadline. I am not so far out of college that I can only finish anything if there is a deadline to submit. So I have one. I know they are not ribbon worthy and I am OK with that. I just want to see what happens and experience the process.

 

This is one of the afghans. I love the spring colors and it's really easy and fast. 

This is the one I am really proud of. Yes, and of course Jules as well. She wouldn't get up so I could finish this piece. It's a Queen size blanket. I didn't originally want it that big but that's what always happens on these projects. And NO, those holes will be braided up when I finish.

It was pretty easy to enter.  It's all done electronically now. There is even a charge to manually enter something. The instructions were all online and very clear. I guess they have been doing this a while. He he. So I am really excited to finish these and get them ready to be judged. Now I just need to find something to drape them on for viewing. I can't wait.

Well that's it for now. My new obsession. 

Until next time.

Slacker, SLACKER, SLACKER!!!!

I am such a slacker. I had such a good time writing this blog last year. I looked forward everyday to writing something new and sharing and writing and sharing. I thought this was a blast. 

Then life happened. 

I still read blogs but I can't seem to find anything to really get behind to write about. Yet I think of topics all the time. Of course I said the same things that everyone says - You have to write everyday to keep in the habit, or Fake it 'til you make it, or just write about anything, or you are such a loser!

I read somewhere that most bloggers only have about 50 entries then they run out of things to write about or interest in writing about what is happening. When I read that I said to myself "That's NOT going to be me."  He he ho ho ha ha he he. Yeah right! I am at 50 and there you go. 

I am so disappointed in myself. But then I thought well who am I to think I'm special and wont fall into the same traps as others have. I am human and a regular person too. OK I am special too but not when it comes to this activity. So stop beating yourself up kiddo. 

Here's what's been happening. 

1.  My brother passed away last December. I got the word that he had cancer (a very aggressive type) in July and that he had less than 3 months to live. He hung on for an additional 2 months. 

I went to see him just before his dementia set in to say goodbye. It was not as hard as I thought it was going to be. It was quite nice actually. 

He was staying with his brother (no blood relation to me) and his wife who are SAINTS! I really mean that. They are WONDERFUL people for everything they did for my brother.  

MARK STEVEN SHIFFER (born March 1, 1954 in Monterey, CA) died on December 3, 2014 in Denver, CO. 

I know he is in a better place. He is with our other brother and our father and all our aunts and uncles and cousins that have passed before. He is out of pain and and can now fly. 

Because I was basically on a death watch - waiting for word on my brother - almost everything else was put on hold, including Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

2.  So comes the new year. It's going to get better I tell myself. 

I make my new year's resolutions like so many others. The usual ones like losing weight, get into shape, be healthy. Well that last one was because in the meantime I have been having some health issues with regard to . . . well let's just say I was in the throne room. A LOT. So I was finally diagnosed with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). I take medication now and am finally feeling myself again. 

Not only was I prescribed medication but also ---- get this ---- exercise. And he said Cardio type of exercise. You know what that means. I envisioned all those get up and go types of exercises that are put to music with the instructor wearing a microphone shouting "Come on you can do it! Just 1 more verse!" or something like that. 

Or the ever dreadful, I can't even say it, ok it's .... it's .... running. EWWWEEEEE. I hate running. I am allergic to running. 

I was reprieved.  I need to walk nightly. Well at least 3 times a week anyway. I can do that. I like that. So me and my FitBit are walking these days. I quite like it actually. 

That's pretty much what has been going on with me, at least the high points anyway.

It's now spring - and I have more good things going on that I hope I will write more about. Some really fun things too. 

I may not write every week but I will get more posts than once every 6 months. 

See you soon. 

Happy 4th Rodeo Style

Happy 4th of July.

What a day!

It was HOT! Like 100 degrees hot. 

But I didn't care. I braved the heat! I tool our Light Rail to the next town called Folsom. It was the 54th Annual Folsom Rodeo. I so didn't want to fight traffic and find a place to park, etc. So I decided to take Light Rail. I like Light Rail. They do all the driving and I just sit back and relax. That's nice!

So off I go. It was about 6:30pm and the Rodeo started at 7:00pm. I figure it would take about 20 minutes to get there. Even though it was UPHILL all the way. 

Then I double checked the timetable about getting back home. Oh NO!!!!! The last train left at 7:09pm. How could I have overlooked this wrinkle? I was so screwed! Really. That is so not me. What happened? How am I going to get home?  I totally freaked. Then I remembered that I had a friend that was going as well. Luckily she would give me a ride back to my car. Whew! Crisis averted, I can enjoy the rest of the night.

Then off I go on my walk to the Rodeo Arena. I walk UP Sutter Street which is still in the old time west tradition. Quaint stores and some restaurants. You really feel like it's 100+ years ago. It's all up hill alright. I get the end (about 4 blocks) and I ask a passerby if the Rodeo Arena nearby. "Are you walking?" he asks. Well, ah, yes. You have  LONG walk ahead of you. Oh no, no, no. Did I do it again?  Well no help for it so just keep walking. Another 3 blocks then turn right for two more blocks then turn left for 3 more blocks. UPHILL! It's 100 degrees. By the time I got the Arena I was WET! 

But there I am. I am so excited.

I found my seat. It was concrete. Yes Concrete. Not even smooth concrete. It was rocky. If you put your hand down it scraped it. But it was a seat. The even was totally sold out. People everywhere. 

I drank my water bottle in 3 seconds flat. So off to get a soda now. I get back and there is someone sitting in my seat. 

Me:  Sir, I believe that is my seat.

Mr.:  Yeah well I am sitting here now.

Me:  But that is MY seat. It says so right here on my ticket.

Mr.:  Well you can find another seat. I am sitting here (grins). 

Me: (Staring at him in disbelief) Well I need to sit there. So you need to move.

Mr.:  Well you can sit there.

Me:  (Wimp that I am) I sit down and hope no one challenges me. 

So the Rodeo started.  It was fun. The sun finally bowed down on the horizon and there were bronc riding, bull riding, barrel racing.

Sorry for the fuzzyness but they went by pretty quick. 

Then my battery started dying and well that was it for the photos. 

But I do need to tell you about the little mutton chop kids. They were so cute. They were between 6 and 8 years old and they had to ride a sheep. 

This one little girl hung on for dear life. She even won! Yeah for all the little girls out there. 

Then there were the swearing in of about 20 cadets into the Marine Corps. God bless them. I shed a tear.

Then came the Motocross. I didn't think I would like that very much. Boy was I wrong. That was COOOOLLLL!!!! Yep it was exciting. I felt like I was at an Evil Kneivel event. They were very exciting.

Then came the AWESOME fireworks. That was too cool. 

I found my friend and she game me a ride to my car. What a night. A really nice 4th of July. 

 

I love our Starbuck's

When I moved here 7 years ago, there was NOTHING here. It's a new subdivision and there was just alot of dirt, pipes, 2 x 4's, and the promise of something special.

Then came the little shopping center. I was so excited. Building of something coming. There was a rumor that there was going to be a Lowe's and a Chili's and a Starbuck's and a Panda Express and a Pandera's.  Ok,  I know that's a lot of "and a" but seriously the rumors abounded.

Pandera's just materialized (7 years later) and Panda Express just came across the freeway earlier this year. But the other 3 were the first. I was so excited when I saw the Starbuck's logo go up and couldn't wait for it to open. It was the first one in our part of town.

As time has gone on it is still one of my favorite places to go. I walk through the local park and down the street (which looks like Main Street USA) and take my computer and spend some serious quality time with my coffee and the internet.

Over the years I have gotten to know the baristas. They have changed over the years of course but I frequent the establishment enough that they all know me quickly.

I should also tell you that I have a pretty serious Starbuck's cup collection going. 

The purple one above just broke about 30 seconds after I took this picture. I really like that one too.

I love these huge cups for coffee and hot chocolate when it's cold and rainy out.

Of course I get the cups that celebrate my favorite cities. 

I love these pictures on this cup of San Francisco. 

And of course my Home Town.

Even has the statistics on the back of the cup. Cool.

But what I really love is the Cheer's feeling I get. You know that place where everyone knows your name. 

Plus they are so silly.

She knows my name. Should I be worried?

But this is something special that she did for me. Not only does she make my special drinks just the way I like it and encourages me to try something new but she kept my latest addition to my cup collection for me. 

It was a crazy day. There was a special on Fraps that day and I had the best time just watching these baristas work. 

This is what a part of the counter looked like.They used all these plus more during the time I was there. Whew!  

But I forgot my cup.

It was pretty. And a lovely addition to my collection for spring. 

Well this was easily a month ago and we kept missing each other. Finally yesterday she gave me my package. I had given it up for lost and now here it is. 

I LOVE MY STARBUCK'S!!!!!!

 

The County Fair! Lord it was HOT! Part 2

I had a blast at the Sacramento County Fair last weekend. 

But the real reason I went to the Fair was the Bull Riding event. It was only one night so it was Saturday or not at all.

After checking out the rest of the Fair and all the kiddos and their animals it was time to go to the Bull Riding. 

Now it was just Bull Riding. Not a full Rodeo. I actually like full Rodeos better. They have not only Bull Riding (ok the marquee event that it is) but also Bronc Riding, Barrel Racing and much more. The Bull Riding was really exciting too.

These were just as I was sitting down. Basically only half of the area is needed. 

It was HOT!!!! I mean really HOT!!!! 

Did you get the idea that it was hot?

No?

Well let me tell you straight out. It was HOT. There.

Now that we got that settled.

There was this little guy. He was adorable. He was having a great time all night. Dad was looking after him the whole time. It was so cute.

Of course there had to be a big truck somewhere.

There was a salute to our men and women serving our nation and memorial for all those who have given the ultimate price in that service. Very moving. I teared up. But I always do. I am mess at parades. I was saved that there wasn't a marching bank around. I would have been a total disaster.

There there was National Anthem sang by this cute young lady. She did a good job. But after she was finished and she started to walk back behind the shoot (or shute?) she was stopped. A nice young cowboy came out. She apparently knew him and waiting.

Then he got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. Awwwwweeeeee. Sniff. Sniff. She said "Yes". Of course.

I missed the actual proposal but I did get the good stuff. You can count on me to get the really important parts.

Then it came time to start all the bull riding. There were going to be 30 rides in the first go around (that is what they call first selection process) then a break, then the top six go for the top prize. Only the top six get any money. So alot of riders are going to need a ride home that night. 

So the first few all didn't last more than 3 seconds if that. 

Ouch!

Here we go!

Hunh?

That's gotta hurt.

 Where am I again? Oh yeah. Running!

Thank goodness the Bull Fighters (clowns) are there. They keep the bull occupied so the rider can get to safety. Wonder what their insurance rates are?

There there is this guy. He was a hoot. He was hilarious. He was funny. He was CRAZY!

It doesn't look like it here but he was all over this arena. Talking to the crowd and keeping everyone entertained in between the riders. It takes a while for the riders to get all situated on the bull. My guess it takes some talking oneself into even getting on the bull. Especially since they make that snort noise that is such a warning. Jeez.

For some reason the bulls just didn't want to go back into the pens. They had a heck of time getting them into the pens let alone to stay there. So as they were trying to get a bull that was just ridden in the pen two more escaped. I think they just wanted some more attention from the cowboys and the crowd. 

They must have know it was Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's wedding weekend so they wanted some of the limelight too. But that's just my theory. 

All in all there were only four bulls that were ridden. So they added two more that lasted the longest. These two almost got the 8 seconds. 

Speaking of 8 Seconds, has anyone seen that movie?  I loved it. But then Luke Perry is nice to look at.  But it is still a bit of tear jerker. If you get a chance, check it out. I was watching this movie with my mother and grandmother one night and they enjoyed it. Then it was at the end credits and they realized it was about a real person and they were mad at me. Why? Then they started really crying. So it is a real good movie.

At the break there was a bunch of kids that got an opportunity to ride a mechanical bull.

They were so cute!!! They got a water bottle as a prize and it could have been gold trophy. They held it up with pride they did. They ran all around and it was so cute. Did I tell you how adorable they were?  Well they were.
Now onto the final go-around. 

Let's just say that this picture is kind of what happened. The first five were all bucked off.

So it was left to only one rider. It was his to Win.

Well he did it. He stayed on the bull the full 8 seconds and he won the night. He was awarded $6,000 for his troubles. Not bad for 16 seconds (2 rides for 8 seconds, get it?) worth of work.

Oh and the rider that proposed earlier?  He was bucked off earlier. I guess he other things on his mind.

So there you go. It was a fun and exciting evening. I just might do it again.